It is interesting to see how many muscular wrestling superstars transition into acting careers in action movies, only to discover that they have a comedic side as well. John Cena is one such example, following in the footsteps of stars like Dwayne Johnson and Dave Bautista. Cena started his acting career in mediocre films like “The Marine” and “12 Rounds,” but soon showcased his inner goofiness in movies like “Trainwreck,” “Sisters,” and “Blockers,” where he proved that his imposing physique could also bring laughs. His latest venture is “Vacation Friends 2,” the sequel to the 2021 Hulu comedy, where Cena once again proves that being ripped doesn’t hinder his ability to be hilarious.
In the first “Vacation Friends,” the mismatched couples Marcus (Lil Rel Howery) and Emily (Yvonne Orji) become friends with the wild and crazy Ron (Cena) and Kyla (Meredith Hagner) during a vacation. In the sequel, directed by Clay Tarver, there isn’t much development for the characters since they already established their friendship in the previous film. Marcus and Emily have become less uptight and understand that Ron and Kyla are essentially good people at heart.
In “Vacation Friends 2,” the four friends embark on another vacation, this time joined by Ron and Kyla’s baby. Marcus has a secret agenda for the trip – he wants to meet with the resort’s Korean owners and make a bid for the construction of their new property in Chicago. The trip takes a comical turn when Reese (Steve Buscemi), Kayla’s just-released criminal father with a hidden agenda, involves the group in a series of wacky misadventures, including encounters with drug dealers and their stolen $5 million.
The humor in the film often revolves around Marcus embarrassing himself while trying to impress the Korean hosts. For example, a surfing attempt ends disastrously for him. Kyla’s lack of decorum is another running gag, as she reacts loudly to Marcus and Emily’s revelation that they are trying to conceive. However, much of the humor feels predictable and uninspired. The film only truly shines when it subverts expectations, such as Ron surprising everyone by revealing his ability to speak fluent Korean and behaving impeccably.
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The chemistry among the four lead performers makes “Vacation Friends 2” enjoyable, although not uproariously funny. However, it is Steve Buscemi’s addition to the cast that provides the spark of comedy the film needs. Buscemi brings his well-honed persona of angry sarcasm to the role, injecting some much-needed edginess into the otherwise lackluster proceedings. Supporting player Carlos Santos, reprising his role as concierge Maurillo, and Ronny Chieng, known for his tight-ass comedic style from the horror film “M3GAN,” also contribute to the laughter. However, their efforts are not enough to save the film from feeling bland overall.
In terms of credits, “Vacation Friends 2” is produced by 20th Century Studios and Broken Road Productions, with Hulu as the distributor. The cast includes Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, John Cena, Meredith Hagner, Steve Buscemi, Carlos Santos, and Ronny Chieng. The film is directed and written by Clay Tarver, with Todd Garner and Stuart Besser as producers. The director of photography is Tim Suhrstedt, while Martin Laing takes care of production design. Tim Roche serves as the editor, and Mark Mothersbaugh composes the music. Other credits include Virginia Johnson as the costume designer and Jeanne McCarthy and Nicole Abellera Hallman as the casting directors.
Overall, “Vacation Friends 2” is a pleasant and engaging film, thanks to the chemistry among the lead performers, particularly Cena and Buscemi. However, the predictable and uninspired humor, combined with a lackluster storyline, prevents the film from reaching its full comedic potential. That said, fans of Cena and the first “Vacation Friends” may still find some enjoyment in this sequel.
